JP6377962B2 - Feeding unit for automatic saw cutting machine to cut the pipe in double pipe cutting mode - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an automatic saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode, and more particularly to a roller supply unit for such a machine.

  In this description and the appended claims, the term “tube” is used to refer to any elongated body having a uniform cross section along its longitudinal axis, the cross section being open or closed. . Furthermore, the terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are used to refer to the forward direction (or feed direction) of the tube and any direction that lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, respectively.

  As is known, a machine of the above type basically consists of an input unit for supplying the tube to be cut, a roller supply unit for supplying the tube to the cutting area, and a tube during the cutting operation. And a cutting head provided with a circular saw for cutting the tube. Currently available machines can be divided into two main categories. 1) A machine configured to perform the process of cutting a tube in a so-called single tube cutting mode, i.e. to cut one tube at a time. 2) A machine configured to perform the tube cutting process in a so-called double tube cutting mode, i.e. to cut two tubes at a time. The configuration and operation of the machine input unit and the supply unit vary in particular depending on the cutting mode used in the machine.

  The dosing unit typically includes a tube collection area, a transport device, and a selection device. The tubes to be cut are collected in a collection area so that their longitudinal axes are parallel to each other and are moved laterally from that area to the selection device, for example using a conveying device with a set of chains, and selected In the device, two tubes are selected.

  The supply unit receives two tubes from the input unit and supplies them to the cutting area. In the cutting area, the two tubes are sandwiched between chucks and cut into a predetermined size by a circular saw of the cutting head. As in the present invention, in a saw cutting machine equipped with a roller supply unit, the cutting length of the two tubes is defined by individual abutting members that are biased until the tubes to be cut abut.

  1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings are cross-sectional views of a known example of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter that cuts a tube in a double tube cutting mode (ie, relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube to be cut). Figure 2 schematically shows a cut-away view through a vertical cut plane) and a side view. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply unit is generally designated by the numeral 10, and firstly, the first pair of lower rollers 12a, 12b, in other words, the first pipe supply line (see FIG. 1). An upstream lower roller and a downstream lower roller (where the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are respectively associated with the line on the left side of the viewer's field of view, whose axis is indicated by x 1) Refer to the forward direction), respectively, to the second pair of lower rollers 14a, 14b, in other words, to the second tube supply line (the right-hand line with respect to the view of the person viewing FIG. 1, whose axis is indicated by x2). An associated upstream lower roller and downstream lower roller,

Upstream lower rollers 12a, 14a are the same transverse rotation axis y _a, in particular, is rotatably mounted about a horizontal rotational axis. Similarly, the downstream lower roller 12b, 14b, the rotation axis y _a same transverse rotation axis is parallel to the y _b of the upstream lower _rollers, in particular, is rotatably mounted about a horizontal rotational axis. The lower rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b are all motor-driven rollers, and are therefore also referred to as drive rollers.

  1 and 2 further includes a first pair of upper rollers 16a, 16b, in other words, an upstream upper roller and a downstream upper roller respectively associated with the first pipe supply line (axis x1), A pair of upper rollers 18a, 18b, in other words, an upstream upper roller and a downstream upper roller respectively associated with the second pipe supply line (axis x2),

Similar to the lower roller, the upstream upper roller 16a, 18a is the same transverse rotation axis y _'a, in particular, is rotatably mounted about a horizontal rotational axis. Downstream upper rollers 16b, 18b are rotary shaft y _a and the same transverse rotation axis is parallel y _'b of the upstream upper _roller, in particular, it is rotatably mounted about a horizontal rotational axis. The upper rollers 16a, 16b, 18a, and 18b may be mounted in an idle state around each rotation shaft, or may be driven by a motor.

  Further, the upper rollers 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b are individually moved with a predetermined preload (adjustable independently of the other rollers for each upper roller) using, for example, the swing support portion 20. Each of the tubes (indicated by T1 for the first supply line and T2 for the second supply line) is vertically movable so as to be biased toward the rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b. It is ensured that it is sandwiched between the side roller and the upper roller with a predetermined clamping force. Therefore, the upper roller is also referred to as a pressure roller below.

  The supply unit 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 further holds the tubes laterally along a first supply line (axis x1), ie side holding rollers mounted in an idle state around the individual vertical rotation axes. A series of first side rollers 22 (shown only in FIG. 1) configured to hold and a series of second sides configured to hold the tube laterally along a second supply line (axis x2) A roller 24 (shown only in FIG. 1) and a series of intermediate rollers 26 interposed between two lines of tubes T1, T2 fed to the cutting area.

  In a known supply unit for an automatic saw cutting machine that cuts pipes in double pipe cutting mode, the pipes in the two supply lines, like those described above with reference to FIGS. The two supply lines are clearly distinguished from each other because they are always kept at a distance from each other.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a feeding unit for an automatic saw cutting machine that cuts the pipe in a double pipe cutting mode, which is simpler and less expensive than the prior art described above.

  This and other objects are completely achieved according to the invention by means of a supply unit having the features described in the enclosed independent claim 1.

  Advantageous embodiments of the supply unit according to the invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims, the content of which is recognized as a whole and as an integral part of the following description.

  The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, merely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 schematically shows a cross-sectional cut view of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode according to the prior art; 1 schematically shows a side view of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode according to the prior art; 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional cut-away view of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from different perspectives of a roller supply unit for a saw cutter for cutting a tube in a double tube cutting mode, according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the supply unit of FIG. 5 and FIG.

  3-7, parts or elements identical or corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals and are saw saws (hereinafter simply “saw cutting”) that cut the pipe in a double pipe cutting mode. A roller supply unit (hereinafter simply referred to as “supply unit”) for the machine) is indicated generally by the numeral 10.

  The supply unit 10 is configured to move the pipe (reference numeral T1) in the forward direction along the first supply axis x1, and is installed in the upstream and the downstream respectively with respect to the forward direction of the pipe (indicated by the arrow F). A pair of lower rollers or drive rollers 12a, 12b are provided.

  The supply unit 10 is further configured to move the tube (reference T2) in a forward direction along a second supply axis x2 parallel to the first supply axis x1, upstream with respect to the forward direction F of the tube and A second pair of lower rollers or drive rollers 14a and 14b are provided respectively downstream.

Upstream lower rollers 12a, 14a are the same transverse rotation axis y _a, in particular, the angle alpha (shown in FIGS. 3 to 7) is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis inclined by with respect to the horizontal plane. The tilt angle α is an acute angle, typically in the range 0 ° to 60 ° (including the limit), and preferably equal to about 30 °. Similarly, the downstream lower roller 12b, 14b is rotatably mounted about the same transverse rotation shaft y _b inclined by the same inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal plane.

  The lower rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, and 14b are all motor-driven rollers. Preferably, these rollers are operated simultaneously by a single motor 28. The motor 28 may be, for example, a hydraulic motor or an electric motor.

In the embodiment proposed here, two different upstream lower rollers 12a, 14a are provided, but these rollers may be manufactured as a single piece. Two upstream lower rollers 12a, when fabricated and 14a as a separate part, so as to rotate as a unit about a transverse rotation axis y _a, it is advantageous to consolidate these rollers each other. The same applies to the downstream lower rollers 12b, 14b. In the embodiment proposed here, two different downstream lower rollers 12b, 14b are provided, but these rollers may be manufactured as one piece. Two downstream lower roller 12b, when fabricated and 14b as a separate part, so as to rotate as a unit about a transverse rotation axis y _b, it is advantageous to consolidate these rollers each other.

The supply unit 10 is further installed upstream and downstream with respect to the forward direction F of the pipe, respectively, and a first pair of upper or pressure rollers 16a, 16b associated with the first supply axis x1 and the forward direction F of the pipe. A second pair of upper rollers or pressure rollers 18a and 18b, which are respectively installed upstream and downstream, and associated with the second supply shaft x2. Similar to the lower rollers, the upstream upper rollers 16a and 18a are mounted so as to be rotatable about the same transverse rotation axis y ′ _a , in particular, around the rotation axis inclined by the inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal plane. Downstream upper rollers 16b, 18b are also rotatably mounted about the same transverse rotation shaft y _'b inclined by the same inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal plane.

The upper rollers 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b are mounted in an idle state around the individual rotation shafts. Furthermore, each upper roller 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b moves toward each upper roller 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b with a predetermined preload (each upper roller can be adjusted independently from the other rollers). It is possible to ensure that each tube is clamped between the lower roller and the upper roller with a predetermined clamping force. In this connection, the upstream upper rollers 16a and 18a are supported by the individual support bodies 30a. The support body 30a, for example, using individual linear drive 32a fabricated as a hydraulic drive device, the rotation axis y _a of the _rollers, along a direction connecting the y _'a, the upstream lower rollers 12a, 14a Is relatively movable. Similarly, the downstream upper rollers 16b and 18b are supported by the individual support bodies 30b. The support main body 30b is manufactured as, for example, a hydraulic drive device, and connects the rotation axes y _b and y ′ _b of these rollers using individual linear drive devices 32b that can operate independently of the linear drive device 32a. It can move relative to the downstream lower rollers 12b and 14b along the direction.

The supply unit 10 further includes a series of first side rollers 22 for holding the tube T1 moving in the forward direction along the first supply axis x1 and the forward direction along the second supply axis x2. A series of second side rollers 24 for holding the moving tube T2 laterally. Both the side rollers 22 and the side rollers 24 are respectively mounted in an idle state around individual rotating shafts. As seen in Figure 7, the first side roller 22 is mounted on a stationary part of the supply unit 10, the lower rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, the rotation axis _y a of 14b, with respect to a plane passing through the _{y b} Oriented with its own axis of rotation inclined at an angle β in the range of 45 ° to 90 ° (inclusive), preferably an angle equal to 75 °.

As far as the second side roller 24, many of which are supported by the support body 30a, the upstream rollers 12a, 14a, 16a, the rotation axis _y a of 18a, along a direction connecting the y _'a, movable therewith On the other hand, the rest are mounted on the stationary part of the supply unit 10. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, there are four side rollers 22 and two side rollers 24, one of which is supported by the support body 30 a and the other is supported by the stationary portion of the supply unit 10. . However, the number of side rollers may, of course, be different from that described here.

As can be easily seen from FIG. 7, because of the inclined orientation of the rotation axes y _a and y _b of the lower roller, the two tubes T1 and T2 that are introduced each time by using a sawing machine introduction device (not shown) are , First contact each other, and at the bottom by the lower rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, at the top by the upper rollers 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, at the sides the first side roller 22 and the second side roller 24 And move in the forward direction F while being in contact with each other.

The supply unit 10 further comprises a separation element 34, which is produced in particular as a thin sheet or plate-like element, in the longitudinal direction between the upstream lower rollers 12a, 14a and the downstream lower rollers 12b, 14b. And in the transverse direction between the two supply axes x1, x2. In particular, the separation element 34, as shown in FIG. 3, axes x1, plane passing through the x2 (hereinafter, is referred to as a slide surface, the lower rollers 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b rotary shaft _y a a, y with its intermediate plane perpendicular to the plane passing through _b ) and at the same distance from the axes x1, x2.

  The separation element 34 is operable to move alternately between a rest position (FIG. 4) and an actuated position (FIG. 3) using individual drive devices 42. In the rest position, the separating element as a whole is located below the sliding surface and is not interposed between the tubes moving simultaneously in the forward direction along the two supply axes towards the cutting area. In the operating position, the separating element is interposed between the tubes moving simultaneously in the forward direction along the two supply axes towards the cutting area, thus contacting each other (usually occurring). To prevent.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive 42 associated with the separation element 34 is a linear drive, such as a pneumatic cylinder, and more particularly, the movement of the separation element in a direction perpendicular to the slide surface. It is the linear drive device comprised so that it might control in (direction shown with a double arrow in FIG. 3).

  The separating element 34 is moved from the rest position to the operating position for a short time during the tube change phase under the control of an electronic control unit that governs the operation of the machine. In normal operation of the machine, the two tubes T1 and T2 to be cut are in contact with both upstream and downstream drive rollers (rollers 12a and 12b for tube T1 and rollers 14a and 14b for tube T2), respectively. The tubes are simultaneously moved in the forward direction each time by a distance sufficient for each tube to abut against an abutment member appropriately positioned to define the desired cut length. In the tube changing stage, the two tubes T1 and T2 (hereinafter referred to as “old tubes”) being processed are almost cleared, and the upstream rollers (the motor drive rollers 12a and 14a and the pressure rollers 16a and 18a) are fixed at a certain time. This occurs when the contact with both) is loosened, and the drive is performed only by the downstream drive rollers 12b and 14b from that time.

  In this regard, in this embodiment, in the contact loss state, that is, the fact that the tube being processed has loosened the contact with the upstream roller is the upstream pressure roller installed on the upstream side of the upstream roller of each tube supply shaft. Detection is performed using a rotary sensor 40 (FIGS. 5 and 6) associated with 16a, 18a and two photocells or similar optical detection elements (not shown, but of a type known per se). Other approaches for detecting that the tube being processed loses contact with the upstream roller can, of course, be envisioned and all fall within the scope of the present invention.

  Once a contact loss condition is detected, the machine automatically loads two new tubes using the loading device described in the introduction of this description. Since each of the two new tubes can be inserted between the individual upstream drive rollers 12a, 14a and the individual upstream pressure rollers 16a, 18a of the supply unit 10, the upstream pressure rollers 16a, 18a are individually With the appropriate linear drive 32a, the support body 30a is moved away from the associated upstream drive rollers 12a, 14a.

  New pipes introduced into the supply unit 10 are kept at a constant distance from the old pipes along the same supply axis. In order to ensure that the machine operates properly, in particular to meet the required cutting tolerances, each new pipe needs to contact the old pipe along the same supply axis. This is accomplished by clamping the old tube using a chuck and moving the new tube forward using the upstream drive rollers 12a, 14a until the new tube abuts the individual old tubes.

  As soon as two new tubes are introduced, the separating element 34 moves to the operating position and is interposed between these tubes until this new tube abuts the old tube along the same supply axis. Maintained in position. When the separating element 34 is in the operating position, the two new tubes are separated from each other and can move in the forward direction without the risk of interfering with each other to abut the old tube along the same supply axis. Once the contact state between the new and old tubes is detected using, for example, the rotary sensor 40 described above, the separation element 34 returns to the rest position and the tubes along the two supply axes contact each other. Return to state.

  The two photocells (or similar optical detection elements) described above are used with the rotary sensor 40 to determine the longitudinal position difference between two tubes that are fed simultaneously to the cutting area. Specifically, if none of the photocells detect the presence of a tube, the machine's electronic control unit will detect the corresponding upstream pressure roller because the end position of the tube has passed the longitudinal position examined by the photocell. The measured value provided at that time is stored by the rotary sensor mounted at (16a or 18a). The same occurs for other photocells and other rotary sensors, and the electronic control unit of the machine stores the measurements provided by the rotary sensor when the associated photocell does not detect the end position of the tube. The two measurements thus stored are compared with each other to determine the relative longitudinal position of the two tubes and control the tube feeding and tube trimming operations based on this position.

  As will be apparent from the above description, the supply unit for an automatic saw cutting machine that cuts the tube in a double tube cutting mode according to the present invention is less complex in structure than the prior art discussed in the introduction of the description, Offers the advantage of being less expensive. Instead of having two supply lines which are always kept separate from one another by intermediate rollers and totally independent from one another, the supply unit according to the invention actually operates like a single tube supply unit. This is because the two tubes are simultaneously moved in the forward direction on a pair of driving rollers inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the two tubes are kept separated from each other using the separation element only during the tube changing phase. A further advantage obtained with the use of the supply unit according to the invention is that the time required for machine set-up is reduced because fewer parts need to be replaced in order to adapt the machine to the different diameters of the tubes to be cut. It is short.

  Of course, the principles of the invention remain unchanged, and the details of the embodiments and structures may vary significantly from what is described and illustrated merely by way of non-limiting examples.

  For example, the present invention refers to an embodiment in which the rotation axis of the lower roller and the upper roller, that is, the angle of inclination of the slide surface is greater than 0 °, in particular, approximately equal to 30 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. However, this angle may be equal to 0 °. In this case, since the gravity acting on the tube does not have a component oriented parallel to the slide surface, it is possible to keep the tube in contact with each other and continue to move forward along the two supply axes x1 and x2. And the contact between the tubes is ensured by a suitable configuration of the side rollers.

Claims (8)

A supply unit (10) for an automatic saw cutting machine for cutting a tube (T1, T2) in a double tube cutting mode,
A first pair of motor drive rollers (12a, 12b) for moving the first tube (T1) in the forward direction along the first supply axis (x1), that is, an upstream lower roller and a downstream lower roller;
A second pair of motor drive rollers (14a, 14b) for moving the second pipe (T2) in a forward direction along a second supply axis (x2) parallel to the first supply axis (x1); That is, an upstream lower roller and a downstream lower roller,
A first pair of upper rollers (16a, 16b) for urging the first tube (T1) toward the lower rollers (12a, 12b) of the first pair, that is, an upstream upper roller and a downstream upper roller When,
A second pair of upper rollers (18a, 18b) for urging the second tube (T2) toward the lower rollers (14a, 14b) of the second pair, that is, an upstream upper roller and a downstream upper roller When,
A plurality of first side rollers (22) for holding the first pipe (T1) laterally;
A plurality of second side rollers (24) for holding the second pipe (T2) laterally,
The lower rollers (12a, 12b) of the first pair and the upstream rollers (12a, 14a) of the lower rollers (14a, 14b) of the second pair rotate around _a first transverse rotation axis (ya). Mounted on the
The first pair of lower rollers (12a, 12b) and said second pair of lower rollers (14a, 14b) of the downstream roller (12b, 14b), said first transverse rotation axis with respect to _{(y a)} Mounted about a parallel second transverse axis of rotation (y _b ),
The upstream rollers (16a, 18a) of the first pair of upper rollers (16a, 16b) and the second pair of upper rollers (18a, 18b) are parallel to the first transverse rotation axis (y _a ). A third transverse axis of rotation (y ′ _a ) is rotatably mounted;
The downstream rollers (16b, 18b) of the first pair of upper rollers (16a, 16b) and the second pair of upper rollers (18a, 18b) are parallel to the first transverse rotation axis (y _a ). It is mounted rotatably about the fourth transverse rotation axis (y ′ _b ),
Each upper roller (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b) moves toward each lower roller (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b), and each tube (T1, T2) is moved to said lower roller (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) is configured to be sandwiched together,
The first transverse rotation axis (y _a ) is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane by an inclination angle (α) in a range of 0 ° to 60 ° (including a limit),
The supply unit further comprises a separation element (34) movable alternately between a rest position and an operating position, wherein in the rest position the separation element as a whole has the first and second feed shafts (x1, x2). Located below the passing surface, is not interposed between the first and second pipes (T1, T2), and the first and second pipes (T1, T2) are in contact with each other and operate. In position, a feeding unit in which a separation element is placed between the first and second tubes (T1, T2) to prevent these tubes from contacting each other.   The separation element (34) has the same distance from the first and second supply axes (x1, x2), with its intermediate plane being perpendicular to the plane passing through the first and second supply axes (x1, x2). The supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit is a thin sheet-like or plate-like element arranged in the above.   Linear for controlling the movement of the separation element (34) between the rest position and the operating position along a direction perpendicular to a plane passing through the first and second supply axes (x1, x2). The supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device. Lower rollers (12a, 12b) of said first pair and said second pair of lower rollers (14a, 14b) and a single to rotate simultaneously around each rotation axis _(y a, y _b) The supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising a motor.   The lower roller (12a, 12b) of the first pair and the upstream roller (12a, 14a) of the lower roller (14a, 14b) of the second pair and / or the lower roller (12a of the first pair) 12b) and the downstream rollers (12b, 14b) of the lower rollers (14a, 14b) of the second pair are manufactured as one piece. Said first pair of upper rollers (16a, 16b) and / or the upper roller of said second pair (18a, 18b) is mounted idle around each rotation axis _{(y 'a, y' b} ) The supply unit according to claim 1.   The supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle (α) is in a range of 15 ° to 45 ° (including a limit). The first side roller (22) is inclined by an angle (β) in a range (including a limit) of 45 ° to 90 ° with respect to a plane passing through the first and second rotation axes (y _a , y _b ). The supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit is oriented together with its own rotation axis.

Images